Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

Former Suns GM speaks out on Warriors' early-season success

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 8, 2024 8:50 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors are enjoying a blisteringly hot start to the season. Steve Kerr's team has won seven of its first eight games and ranks in the top three of all major statistical categories.

Golden State is second in defensive rating, holding opponents to 103.8 points per 100 possessions. They're third in offensive rating, averaging 119.3 points per 100, and first in net rating, outscoring opponents by an average of 15.5 points.

According to former Pheonix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, the Warriors are already surpassing internal and external expectations for the season.

"The team has played so well and so hard," McDonough said during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "...They've still defended consistently, night in and night out. And they're as good as any team in the league through the first seven or eight games...They're a lot better than most people expected externally, and frankly, they may even be better than what they thought they would be internally."

The Golden State Warriors are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now.

Ryan McDonough tells @TermineRadio the Warriors shouldn’t make a trade because that would disrupt the chemistry. pic.twitter.com/NYeBWteaBk
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) November 8, 2024

The Warriors' early success is built on a strong defensive foundation. Jerry Stackhouse is working wonders as the team's lead defensive coach. Golden State has adopted high pick-up points on defense and is willing to trap teams near the half-court line.

Kerr's offensive principle of attacking at pace, finding open lanes and punishing slower defenses is ideally suited for the team's overall game plan. The fact that they're utilizing a 12-man rotation means they can lean on a breakneck tempo, knowing they can rotate fresh legs off the bench whenever necessary.

After missing out on the playoffs last season, Golden State appears motivated to prove it's still a championship-level team. If it can continue to produce at its current level, it could be fighting for a top-three seed in the Western Conference once we enter the stretch run.

The Warriors are proving everybody wrong. And just like they did during the early days of their dynasty, they're doing it with a unique style and approach. Whether that can lead to a fifth championship for Steph Curry and Draymond Green will remain to be seen.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: